Newsmakers Interview

Each year Comcast Newsmakers affords legislators an opportunity to speak about legislation they are working on.  In my interview, shot a few weeks ago, I discussed energy storage, Metrorail safety, and second hand smoking legislation, just a few of the bills and issues I am working on this session.  You can view the video here.

You can always keep up with what I am doing by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook.

Legislative News

Below is a status update on all of the legislation I have introduced this session.  My own bills are only a small part of my Annapolis agenda which includes working on major statewide priorities (e.g., Earned Sick Leave), the budget (e.g., bringing more school construction funding to Montgomery County), and general oversight efforts (e.g., the Metro).

Maryland Manual Modernization Act (HB 78)
House and Senate versions have passed.

State Board of Elections Transparency Act (HB 169)
Pending in committee.  Compromise   language converting video streaming to audio is under discussion.

Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Membership Act (HB 285)
House and Senate versions have passed.

Specialized Intervention Services Reporting legislation (HB 286)
Senate version has passed.  House bill is pending in committee.

Leap Day, Leave Day (HB 324)
House and Senate versions have both passed.

Assisted Living Transparency Act (HB 387)
Bill withdrawn because agency has agreed to enact through regulation.

Energy Storage Study Act (HB 773)
House version is pending in committee.

Smoke-Free Multifamily Housing Promotion Act (HB 855)
Legislation failed to pass out of committee.

Higher Education Collective Bargaining (HB 1250)
House version is pending in committee.

Roadkill Bill of 2017 (HB 1251)
Awaiting House hearing.

Two other bills I have introduced are “bond” bills which—if they proceed—will be subsumed into the state’s capital budget.  These are funding bills targeted at specific projects in District 16.
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A major statewide initiative this session is earned sick leave.  Montgomery County already has an earned sick leave law on the books, but this year a statewide effort is advancing.  The House has passed the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act (HB 1) and similar legislation is currently pending in the Senate.
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The early intervention legislation referenced above came from a constituent, Katie Spurlock.  Katie recently had an op-ed regarding the issue published by the Washington Post which you can read here.

Metro
The final WMATA-Metro Work Group meeting of the 2017 legisaltive session was last Friday.  We were joined by Metr's outgoing Inspector General, Helen Lew.  You can access her presentation here.
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The federally mandated Metrorail Safety Commission has taken another step forward by unanimously passing the Maryland House of Delegates.  The legislation enters Maryland into a compact with Virginia and DC to establish a new independent safety agency.  As explained above, my companion legislation regarding how Maryland would appoint its members to the safety commission has passed both houses of the legislature.

Community Events

• The Flying V Theater, which performs at the Writer's Center in Bethesda, is premiering a new show, Brother Mario, on Saturday, February 25 and running until Sunday, March 12.​  In this existential mashup of the worlds of Anton Chekhov and The Super Mario Brothers, Mario begins to wonder if there is more to life than jumping, go-karts, and princesses in other castles. Come visit the Mushroom Kingdom to battle Bowser and mid-life ennui in equal measure.  Tickets start at $20 and may be purchased online athttp://www.brownpapertickets.com/ or at the door.

• B-CC High School’s annual used book sale is coming up on Saturday, March 11 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday, March 12 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.  Shop more than 45,000 gently used hardcover and paperback books, carefully sorted into over 60 categories, including children's, science fiction/fantasy, fiction, mystery, biography, history, art, travel, self-help, religion, gender studies, holidays, and "vintage and collectibles.” Everytime I have been able to stop by, I have left with a full load of books.

• The Fifth Annual Bethesda Film Fest, hosted by the Bethesda Urban Partnership, will take place on March 17 and 18 at Imagination Stage.  Visithere for more information.

• On Sunday, March 26, from 1pm to 5pm, the All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp and Oyster Feast Fundraiser will take place at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Tickets cost $50 per person ($45 if purchased in advance) for all-you-can-eat oysters and clams on the half shell, spiced shrimp, fried oyster, sliced ham, potato salad, baked beans, apple sauce, rolls, beer, and soda.  For tickets or further information, call 301-442-4136.  The Rescue Squad is located at 5020 Battery Lane (at Old Georgetown Road), Bethesda, Maryland 20814.  The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad is a community-supportednonprofit organization that provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical services for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area, as well as Upper Northwest Washington, D.C.  With 150 active volunteers and a daytime staff, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad has evolved into one of the nation's most advanced rescue squads, providing compassionate, life-saving services to the community.  For more information, visit www.bccrs.org

• The Commission on Aging Wants to Hear From You About Housing, Transportation, Communication and Home & Community Based Services.  The event will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.at the Silver Spring Civic Building.

• Adventure Theatre is holding its 65th season gala on Thursday, April 20.  More information is available at http://www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org/givetoatmtc/gala.html.

• The BCC High School Class of 1977 40th Reunion is on Saturday, April 22from 7pm to 11pm at the Knights of Columbus, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue in Silver Spring.

​If you know of an upcoming community event, please email marc@marckorman.com.